Multiscale Tensile Characterization and Repeatability of Additively Manufactured 17-4 PH Stainless Steel

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) presents a new opportunity to revolutionize manufacturing by producing intricate, customized components that traditional manufacturing cannot readily produce. Metal AM has been targeted as a viable manufacturing operation to create precipitation hardened stainless steel alloys for next-generation marine vehicle systems due to the material's high strength and corrosion resistance. This study examines heat treated AM 17% Chromium – 4% Nickel precipitation hardened (17-4 PH) stainless steel material manufactured using powder bed fusion on an EOS M290 machine. Six geometrically identical builds were produced to assess AM repeatability with material characterization across varying length scales. Multiscale tensile testing at the micro-, meso-, and macroscale presents a methodology to study the material both locally and globally and draw comparisons across the different length scales. Results indicate that tensile testing must occur at different length scales to fully characterize AM 17-4 PH stainless steel material.